UCI proposes cycling league system

ESPN staff

October 9, 2013

Cycling's governing body the UCI have proposed a new three-tier league system for road racing.

A first division would see 16 teams participate with the WorldTour being scrapped. Races would take place across 120 days. A second tier would consist of eight teams battling for over 50 days with a third tier to feature divisions in various regions of the country.

The proposals would be fully in place by 2020, with the green light likely to be given in January 2014.

New UCI president Brian Cookson said: "In order to restore confidence in the UCI and promote cycling all around the world, we have to transform the way in which anti-doping procedures are managed, restructure elite road cycling, develop women's cycling and reinforce our position and influence, in particular within the Olympic Movement.